Chile’s wine regions: landscape and vino, a perfect blend
21.07.2023 - 07:46
/ roughguides.com
Many consider Chile's wine regions to be home of some the most major wines of the global wine industry. The country’s diverse landscapes – from the barren Atacama Desert to the snow-capped Andes Mountains – create the perfect grape-growing terrain.
The majority of the wines that Chile produces are red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and the country’s signature Carmenere. Here is our guide to Chile's wine regions.
This article is inspired by our Rough Guide to Chile — your essential guide for travelling in Chile.
You've most likely heard of the most famous of the Chilean wine regions, the Maipo Valley. It stretches east from Santiago all the way to the foothills of the majestic Andes Mountains. This region began to flourish in the 19th century when the weather of this area became more temperate.
Maipo Valley is home to some of Chile’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon. Here, you can find world-class wineries such as Concha y Toro and Viña Santa Rita. It’s the closest wine region to Santiago and you can reach it in an easy half-day trip.
Maipo Valley'of Chile's wine country © Tetyana Dotsenko/Shutterstock
This contemporary Chilean wine-growing region is close to the Pacific Ocean, between Santiago and the port city of Valparaíso. Like Maipo Valley, you can visit the wine region on a day trip from the capital. Or take a trip from Valparaíso — a city known for its maze of steep streets and brightly coloured houses.
The first wine grapes of Casablanca Valley were established in the 1980s. It was not long before this valley surrounded by coastal mountains quickly became one of Chile's most important white wine regions. Its cool ocean breezes make the area known for Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Veramonte is arguably the region’s best-known winery. Also worth a visit is Matetic Vineyard. Here you can find tropical, citrus-scented Sauvignon Blancs and a flagship spicy Syrah.
Ready to take your trip to the Chilean wine country? You won't want to miss our guide to the best things to do in Chile.
Wine producers of Chile and world reknown © abriendomundo/Shutterstock
The Colchagua Valley is often dubbed the Napa Valley of South America. If you're a red wine enthusiast, it should be the first of the Chilean wine regions to visit. Home to around 1,700 vineyards, it’s a region known for its intense and aromatic speciality — Carmenere.
Colchagua Valley's Carmenere, along with its Syrah and Malbec, make regular appearances on the world’s best-of lists. It’s also one of the most visitor-friendly wine routes, with top wineries including Casa Lapostolle and Viña Montes.
If you visit in March, you can celebrate all things vino related at the annual three-day Grape Harvest Festival that takes place around the